From threatening to ban iPhones at Tesla offices, to getting impressed: Elon Musk's reaction to iOS 18 vs iOS 26

Time of India

21 hours ago

Just a year after threatening a blanket ban on
Apple
devices at his companies due to perceived security risks,
Elon Musk
appears to have adopted a notably more positive view on Apple's latest mobile operating system,
iOS 26
. Last year, following reports of Apple's intention to integrate
OpenAI
's
ChatGPT
into iOS 18, the CEO of
Tesla
, SpaceX, and X expressed profound disapproval. In a public statement, Musk labeled the ChatGPT integration as an "unacceptable security violation," going so far as to declare that Apple devices would be prohibited at his various corporate campuses.
Apple's all new iOS 26 operating system brings the new 'Liquid Glass' design, enhanced
Apple Intelligence
, and major system upgrades. All new features of iOS 26 are available for testing starting today by developers through the
Apple Developer Program
at developer.apple.com
Elon Musk's reaction to iOS 18
Last year, Musk strongly opposed Apple's partnership with OpenAI, calling the integration of ChatGPT into iOS 18 an 'unacceptable security violation'. He went as far as threatening to ban Apple devices from Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink offices, stating that visitors would have to check their iPhones at the door.
'If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies. That is an unacceptable security violation,' wrote Elon Musk on X.
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'And visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage,' added Musk.
His concerns at the time centered on the idea of Apple "handing over your data to OpenAI without you even realizing it."
Elon Musk's reaction to iOS 26
Fast forward to WWDC 2025, where Apple unveiled iOS 26, showcasing a sweeping "Liquid Glass" visual redesign and a host of new features, including enhanced AI capabilities like Live Translation and a more integrated approach to Apple Intelligence. Following a post by Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighting the new iOS 26 interface, Elon Musk reportedly offered a brief, yet notably positive, reaction: "Cool."
The new design, featuring translucent UI elements and dynamic motion effects, appears to have impressed Musk, marking a stark contrast to his previous criticism.
While Musk has not elaborated as to what he liked in particular about iOS 26. But it seems that the Tesla CEO is impressed by iOS 26's design enhancements and AI-powered system improvements.
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